Hello, this is my first post here, been a member for a month or so, so I just wanted to say HI, first. Second, I wanted to ask anyone, specifically any women handgun users on here, what a good starter pistol would be for a woman. My wife would like to get a revolver, and I am not sure what to get her. She is fairly small build, with small hands. I have already decided on a .38 special, but any recommendations on a manufacturer, and model would be very appreciated!!
Hello, and help!!
- Thread starter ohio_boy
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45Badger
Member
CCWB has it right. I good .22 is the best starter pistol.
In .38 special, a S&W Model 15 (4", Combat Masterpiece) is a great revolver for a relatively new shooter.
In .38 special, a S&W Model 15 (4", Combat Masterpiece) is a great revolver for a relatively new shooter.
kanook
Member
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Get her to a Gunshow and have her fondle every firearm she takes an interest in.
And remember the heavier the handgun, the less felt recoil. Most 357 are heavier than the 38 and the 357 can shoot 38. 2 guns in one.
Stay away from short (snubbie) barrels at first. Longer the barrel, better sight picture, more heft, less recoil.
And remember the heavier the handgun, the less felt recoil. Most 357 are heavier than the 38 and the 357 can shoot 38. 2 guns in one.
Stay away from short (snubbie) barrels at first. Longer the barrel, better sight picture, more heft, less recoil.
KarenTOC
Member
I agree that the best starter revolver would be a .22lr, if she isn't already a shooter. You can probably rent one at your local range. Then she needs to try out a bunch of guns to see which one best fits her hand and to see how much recoil she can tolerate.
I agree! My first experience was with an S&W 642 - I hated it. Way too much recoil for my hands to stand (I have some arthritis issues). A larger, heavier model 19 turned out to be perfect for me.
You say YOU have decided on a .38? Since it's going to be her gun, shouldn't she be the one to decide what she gets?
I agree! My first experience was with an S&W 642 - I hated it. Way too much recoil for my hands to stand (I have some arthritis issues). A larger, heavier model 19 turned out to be perfect for me.
You say YOU have decided on a .38? Since it's going to be her gun, shouldn't she be the one to decide what she gets?
+1
My sister didn't like shooting a .38 snubbie because of recoil, uncontrolability, and the flame coming out the chamber/barrel gap. She did enjoy shooting my friend's Hi-Point 9mm.
A 9mm revolver might be a good solution. I think Taurus made some a few years ago.I'd start with a .38 snubnose with a ported muzzle. The porting reduces the muzzle flip quite a bit and the gun is small enough to fit comfortably in her hand. Nearly every female that shoots at the range has one gun, (males tend to show up with mini arsenals), and they quite good at it, much better shots than their male counterparts.
I would also get a hammerless revolver. Women tend to wear different clothes than man and the hammer does and will catch on her clothing.
One of the biggest advantages of a revolver for a female is the the hot case stays in the revolver and not like the semi's the tend to take aim right down the V of their shirts.
Many women like the "fashion statement" of having a gun in a different color than the "ugly black".
I would also get a hammerless revolver. Women tend to wear different clothes than man and the hammer does and will catch on her clothing.
One of the biggest advantages of a revolver for a female is the the hot case stays in the revolver and not like the semi's the tend to take aim right down the V of their shirts.
Many women like the "fashion statement" of having a gun in a different color than the "ugly black".
Jim Watson
Member
The only rental range around here is pretty sad, with a few dirty guns to try.
Do you have any friends with good assortments of guns? I have shown various women, adolescents, and novices a selection to help them make a choice. I am at present doing remedial work with a lady whose considerate husband equipped her with an Airweight .38.
Nearly anybody can shoot a K frame Smith & Wesson .38.
Best to start out with target wadcutters or the mild "Cowboy" loads to keep the recoil down.
Do you have any friends with good assortments of guns? I have shown various women, adolescents, and novices a selection to help them make a choice. I am at present doing remedial work with a lady whose considerate husband equipped her with an Airweight .38.
Nearly anybody can shoot a K frame Smith & Wesson .38.
Best to start out with target wadcutters or the mild "Cowboy" loads to keep the recoil down.
Eightball
Member
I'd say get some kind of Smith and Wesson, and then swap the grips if need be. S&Ws have an insane number of grip options out there, so you can undoubtedly find a grip to fit her preferences, while still having the prerequisite power/round characteristics desired.
Thanks for all of the replies. Yes, I do agree a .22 would be a good starter, but she has some experience with my .22 rifles. I will bring it up,and see what she thinks..
Karen, you are correct. Just a slight mis-information on my part. We have discussed different possibilities, and she would rather have a .38. Unfortunately, there are no ranges close, and the only ones she has tried are larger. I'll see about the gun shows in the near future, that may be the best solution.
Thanks again...
Karen, you are correct. Just a slight mis-information on my part. We have discussed different possibilities, and she would rather have a .38. Unfortunately, there are no ranges close, and the only ones she has tried are larger. I'll see about the gun shows in the near future, that may be the best solution.
Thanks again...
Southern Shooter
Member
If she has agreed to a .38 Special...start her off with it
The .38 Special is a great gun to start her out with if she has already committed to it. But, don't forget NOT all snub revolvers feel the same in the hand, or behave the same when fired. And, grips can make the world of difference in how they handle.
Start her out with light loads...reloads if you can find them. Build up to stouter loads. And, there is a difference between the type of recoil you get from light +P loads and 158 grain +P.
My girlfriend is 5' 4", very slight in frame, and weighs 104 lbs soaking wet. Strangely enough, she enjoys shooting my old Charter Arms Under Cover .38 Special. I have tried to talk her out of it...she keeps it at her place, now. The compromise for now is to keep it loaded with 110 grain, non +P, Federal Hydra-Shok JHP. http://www.federalpremium.com/products/details/handgun.aspx?id=400 I know it is not the best thing out of a snub, but she is comfortable with it and can hit her mark shooting double-taps at 7 yards.
As for the 9mm revolver mentioned in an earlier post...uuuummm NO. If a person can't handle the .38 Special out of a snub revolver...the 9mm out of a snub revolver will for sure turn him/her away. That opinion is based my own personal experience. Had one in the Taurus brand. Great gun. Performed well. But, in my subjective experience the recoil felt more snappy than any +P .38 Special. It was just below the line of a low-end .357 Magnum.
The .38 Special is a great gun to start her out with if she has already committed to it. But, don't forget NOT all snub revolvers feel the same in the hand, or behave the same when fired. And, grips can make the world of difference in how they handle.
Start her out with light loads...reloads if you can find them. Build up to stouter loads. And, there is a difference between the type of recoil you get from light +P loads and 158 grain +P.
My girlfriend is 5' 4", very slight in frame, and weighs 104 lbs soaking wet. Strangely enough, she enjoys shooting my old Charter Arms Under Cover .38 Special. I have tried to talk her out of it...she keeps it at her place, now.
The compromise for now is to keep it loaded with 110 grain, non +P, Federal Hydra-Shok JHP. http://www.federalpremium.com/products/details/handgun.aspx?id=400 I know it is not the best thing out of a snub, but she is comfortable with it and can hit her mark shooting double-taps at 7 yards.As for the 9mm revolver mentioned in an earlier post...uuuummm NO. If a person can't handle the .38 Special out of a snub revolver...the 9mm out of a snub revolver will for sure turn him/her away. That opinion is based my own personal experience. Had one in the Taurus brand. Great gun. Performed well. But, in my subjective experience the recoil felt more snappy than any +P .38 Special. It was just below the line of a low-end .357 Magnum.
I'd go with either the glock 17 / 19, the springer XD series, or the smith M&P series 9mm.
9mm is cheap, and recoil management is easy.
ALL 3 models are excellent and WILL serve in a sport / defensive role as you see fit.
The price is reasonable as well.
Find a range to rent them, OR, find a gun club in your area that has folks who use them in competition and I am willing to bet a case of beer that you find some nice folks who will GLADLY let your lady handle and fire them. Look for the IDPA or USASA clubs.
Good luck.
9mm is cheap, and recoil management is easy.
ALL 3 models are excellent and WILL serve in a sport / defensive role as you see fit.
The price is reasonable as well.
Find a range to rent them, OR, find a gun club in your area that has folks who use them in competition and I am willing to bet a case of beer that you find some nice folks who will GLADLY let your lady handle and fire them. Look for the IDPA or USASA clubs.
Good luck.
BlindJustice
Member
I started with a Smith & Wesson Model 18 double action revolver
in the mid-60s, a 6 shot .22 LR. Blued finish with the grips that
more or less follow the frame outline, It has a ramp front sight on a 4" Bbl. with an adjustable(for windage & elevation ) rear sight It served me
well learning to shoot, as well as on the farm in my teens. S&W has
brought it back into production in their 'classic' line, near $900 msrp Nice
used ones are about half that. The 18 is also
known as the K-22 Combat Masterpiece.
The .38 SPecial version of the 18 is the Model 15 K-38 Combat
Masterpiece. Same Bbl. Len. and sights. just a 6 shot .38 Special
the 15 & 18 are part of the K-Frame i.e. Medium frame size and
run in the 35 oz empty weight range.'
The Model 15 is not in current production but the
S&W model 67 is the Stainless Steel version of the 15.
Note: The Model 10 or 64 in stainless are the fixed
rear sight versions of the 15 & 67.
In the small "J" frame line, a lot of the 'snubbies" with
barrels in the 1 7/8" or 2 1/8" lengths have alloy frames and
recoil management can be an issue. I have a Model 60 with
a 3" Bbl. with adj. rear sight, and it's 24 oz. empty
weight. I like the balance and handling. S&W also gives the
60 a slightly larger grip. Although my 60 is chambered for
.357 Mag. I prefer shooting .38 SPecial and have some Double
Tap .38 Special +P 125 gr. Gold Dot JHPs that are not
that much more recoil than the .38 Special 158 gr. Round nose
Lead old standard load.
Hope that helps sort through a few models.
Randall
in the mid-60s, a 6 shot .22 LR. Blued finish with the grips that
more or less follow the frame outline, It has a ramp front sight on a 4" Bbl. with an adjustable(for windage & elevation ) rear sight It served me
well learning to shoot, as well as on the farm in my teens. S&W has
brought it back into production in their 'classic' line, near $900 msrp Nice
used ones are about half that. The 18 is also
known as the K-22 Combat Masterpiece.
The .38 SPecial version of the 18 is the Model 15 K-38 Combat
Masterpiece. Same Bbl. Len. and sights. just a 6 shot .38 Special
the 15 & 18 are part of the K-Frame i.e. Medium frame size and
run in the 35 oz empty weight range.'
The Model 15 is not in current production but the
S&W model 67 is the Stainless Steel version of the 15.
Note: The Model 10 or 64 in stainless are the fixed
rear sight versions of the 15 & 67.
In the small "J" frame line, a lot of the 'snubbies" with
barrels in the 1 7/8" or 2 1/8" lengths have alloy frames and
recoil management can be an issue. I have a Model 60 with
a 3" Bbl. with adj. rear sight, and it's 24 oz. empty
weight. I like the balance and handling. S&W also gives the
60 a slightly larger grip. Although my 60 is chambered for
.357 Mag. I prefer shooting .38 SPecial and have some Double
Tap .38 Special +P 125 gr. Gold Dot JHPs that are not
that much more recoil than the .38 Special 158 gr. Round nose
Lead old standard load.
Hope that helps sort through a few models.
Randall
NMGonzo
Member
I got my girlfriend started with a ruger 22/45
She misses that gun.
Will I get it back if I could?
YES
She misses that gun.
Will I get it back if I could?
YES
tipoc
Member
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2006
- Messages
- 3,563
ohio_boy,
I encourage both you and your friend to go by here...
http://www.corneredcat.com/
one of the best gun sites on the web.
tipoc
I encourage both you and your friend to go by here...
http://www.corneredcat.com/
one of the best gun sites on the web.
tipoc
woad_yurt
Member
Show her a S&W K-frame with a 4" pencil barrel. If a range rents guns, they should have one of these to try.
chris in va
Member
38 special? Nah. Let her decide after renting a few. My friend gets very bored with 22 and actually likes my Sig 220 .45 best. She always asks, "do you have ammo for the Sig?" when we go to the range.
The gun she hates HATES the most? My old 50's S&W J-frame. "Too much recoil, hurts my hand".
The gun she hates HATES the most? My old 50's S&W J-frame. "Too much recoil, hurts my hand".
9MMare
Member
38 special? Nah. Let her decide after renting a few. My friend gets very bored with 22 and actually likes my Sig 220 .45 best. She always asks, "do you have ammo for the Sig?" when we go to the range.
The gun she hates HATES the most? My old 50's S&W J-frame. "Too much recoil, hurts my hand".
Agreed. If you want to get her interested in shooting and enjoying it, start with a .22.
Then take the time and effort to find and rent different guns. Because it really comes down to what works 'for her' and what's most comfortable.
I had one idea and a certain gun in mind when I started, but quickly found other guns that fit my hand better and had better triggers and pointing for me.
I ended up with a S&W M&P 9mm. It has 3 different sized palm grips for the backstrap. Love it. Low recoil, super reliable, points very nicely.
Like others have said, get a 22lr, and have some cheap shooting fun at the range and get her use to shooting. At the same time, ask people around you what they are shooting and tell them your new to shooting, and more than likely they will let you try out there gun, or at least let you feel or look at there gun. Most people are proud of there guns and will let you shoot a few rounds. Just be very thankfull. Sometimes they might even pull out another gun they think would be good for you. It's a Plus plus.
Then go from there!
Then go from there!
CooperThunder
Member
Your questions reminds me of a quote I've read somewhere....
Somewhere in America today, a woman is going to operate a doorknob, lock a deadbolt, operate an alarm remote, and operate a door handle. She will then operate an ignition switch and a seatbelt latch, manipulate clutch and gas and brake pedals while simultaneously rowing a gear selector and working a turn indicator switch. Arriving at her destination, she will manipulate all these controls again in reverse order, walk into the gun store, and be told by some bright spark with a barely-room-temperature IQ: "These automatic pistols have too many complicated controls on 'em, honey; whatchoo need's a revolver." -- Tamara
You know what? -- take her to a gun store and let her try holding each and every gun she fancies, even if she knows next to nothing about a gun. If you are going to spend for it, then before doing so, talk about price limits. If she is going to spend for it, then she will know what her price limit is. The thing is, make her feel what is comfortable for her hands and go from there.
I am just a small woman too...with small hands. My first gun (I paid) is a Bersa Thunder .380...
Somewhere in America today, a woman is going to operate a doorknob, lock a deadbolt, operate an alarm remote, and operate a door handle. She will then operate an ignition switch and a seatbelt latch, manipulate clutch and gas and brake pedals while simultaneously rowing a gear selector and working a turn indicator switch. Arriving at her destination, she will manipulate all these controls again in reverse order, walk into the gun store, and be told by some bright spark with a barely-room-temperature IQ: "These automatic pistols have too many complicated controls on 'em, honey; whatchoo need's a revolver." -- Tamara
You know what? -- take her to a gun store and let her try holding each and every gun she fancies, even if she knows next to nothing about a gun. If you are going to spend for it, then before doing so, talk about price limits. If she is going to spend for it, then she will know what her price limit is. The thing is, make her feel what is comfortable for her hands and go from there.
I am just a small woman too...with small hands. My first gun (I paid) is a Bersa Thunder .380...
A BIG Thanks
Once again, a big thank you to everyone. I actually have the Cornered Cat page in my bookmarks, but forgot about it..
I Lots of good info here, and I will definitely use it. I plan on taking her by a gun shop Saturday, that will be the most logical place to start. Unfortunately, we are an hour or more away from anything that may have a selection, but it is a place to start.
Thanks again!!
Once again, a big thank you to everyone. I actually have the Cornered Cat page in my bookmarks, but forgot about it..
I Lots of good info here, and I will definitely use it. I plan on taking her by a gun shop Saturday, that will be the most logical place to start. Unfortunately, we are an hour or more away from anything that may have a selection, but it is a place to start.
Thanks again!!
Gunfighter123
Member
Every household NEEDS a good .22rf handgun !!! But a .38Spl. is also a very good choice -- as others have said , I would NOT get a .38 Snubnose as a first gun for ANYBODY. But , a used 4" S&W or Colt with ADJ. SIGHTS would be a winner !!!! ANd you may want to rethink the .38Spl --- a .357 can shoot .38s and you would have the extra "Horsepower" if needed when she gets more trigger time in with .38s.
If she can only afford one gun now then consider the S&W 317. J frame small and in 22lr.
Also, if she is not going to CCW but only keep it at home then consider starting her out on a good mid size .357 mag revolver. At first have her only shoot the 148 grain target wadcutters. In a weapon of that size there would be very little recoil and muzzle blast. Then have her work up to the full house .357.
Later she can consider some small frame handgun for CCW.
Also, if she is not going to CCW but only keep it at home then consider starting her out on a good mid size .357 mag revolver. At first have her only shoot the 148 grain target wadcutters. In a weapon of that size there would be very little recoil and muzzle blast. Then have her work up to the full house .357.
Later she can consider some small frame handgun for CCW.
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